Category: Newsletter

The First Tee of Silicon Valley partnered with Valdés Math and the Latinx team to deliver a golf introduction to pre-high school youth at Notre Dame High School in San Jose on February 22^nd. Latinx Golf Founder and Executive Director, Alexia Gutierrez and Rosalie Gutierrez lead a year-long tutoring program of over 120 students. Every Saturday their students come from various schools in San Jose to participate in STEM and math tutoring with the help of over 52 high school and college tutors. TFTSV set up a golf station in the high school field where two groups of 13 children, age 7 to 13, participated in our golf games and practiced courtesy with each other. During the games, we met with parents/guardians and signed up over 13 participants for our Spring Session at Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course. Of the participants who signed up, 100% qualified for our full financial assistance. TFTSV Program Director, Chris Moreno-Hunt, said “we are excited and grateful to be partners with Latinx Golf and Valdéz Math to help serve their group of participants whom they have supported and developed over the years. TFTSV is committed to collaborate with dedicated community partners like Latinx Golf and Valdéz with the intention of building a sustainable pathway for students to access golf and golf facilities.”

Meet Coach Alisa Yamanaka. She is a Software Engineer and an alumna of the University of Washington. Alisa joined our team as a volunteer coach in the Summer of 2019.  Since becoming a coach, she has made a positive impact on her participants and her fellow coaches. Her attention to detail, collaborative approach, and passion for giving back makes her a great coach and mentor. Alisa believes, “There are a lot of parallels between golf and life, and TFTSV does a great job helping kids see and connect those parallels.” She currently coaches on Saturdays at Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course. She shared, “I enjoy seeing a concept or skill click with a student and then watching their excitement grow.” We are fortunate to have Alisa as a coach and appreciate her enthusiasm and drive to make our program a better place for everyone. Thank you Alisa and keep up the great work! The deadline for Spring Coach training is Feb 15th. If you are interested in joining coaches like Alisa, please visit https://www.thefirstteesiliconvalley.org/ways-to-give/volunteer/

The First Tee of Silicon Valley received a $5,000 grant from Wells Fargo to underwrite the cost of providing our DRIVE educational programs to 2 new Title I school located in the Alum Rock Union School District:  Dorsa Elementary and Hubbard Media Arts Academy. Denise Miles, Sr. VP of Community Relations said, “Wells Fargo’s long-term success is directly linked to the success of our customers and the communities we serve. We want to contribute to the revitalization of low to moderate communities and recognize the impact The First Tee of Silicon Valley youth development program has on under-served students.” The DRIVE (Develops Rewarding Inspiring Values for Everyone) program builds character and instills life-enhancing values through the game of golf. The First Tee works with experts in a variety of fields to help instructors deliver programs that seamlessly weave golf and character-building activities into each lesson. We train PE teachers and after-school instructors to follow a philosophy centered on positively reinforcing students’ actions to ensure a great experience. Our youth program provides basic information on learning the game of golf as a lifelong health and fitness activity. Each lesson emphasizes skills, concepts, healthy habits, and one or more of The First Tee Nine Core Values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment. The First Tee of Silicon Valley, a non-profit public benefit organization, is committed to reaching youth who have the greatest opportunity to benefit from our program. Thank you to Wells Fargo for under-writing the cost of DRIVE training, curriculum and developmentally appropriate SNAG® golf equipment which includes oversized clubs, tennis-style balls, and a variety of targets.

Meet Dimarco Casillas, a freshman at Cupertino High School. We met Dimarco at a DRIVE outreach event in Fischer Middle School located in San Jose. He began our program soon after the outreach event in the Spring of 2019. After taking several certifying and skills advancement classes, he progressed to our Birdie level which is our 3^rd out of 5 levels. Dimarco has excelled in the program, absorbing and exhibiting our Nine Core Value and life lessons. When he began our program, he had little to no golf experience yet after one year has made his high school golf team! Dimarco leads by example, shows up early to each class to practice, initiates conversations with his peers and coaches, and has a welcoming and positive approach to everyone he meets. We are excited to see him reach his goals and we are committed to supporting him as he continues his character-building journey.

On January 30^th, we hosted the first of several school field trips in 2020 at Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course. Over the next month, schools that are delivering our DRIVE program will be visiting Rancho Del Pueblo Golf Course to take part in a typical First Tee of Silicon Valley class. San Antonio Elementary was the first to participate in 2020. Their students learned how to apply Integrity and practiced their distance control while playing our games on the driving range and putting green. Our field trips are the cumulation of a series of DRIVE classes delivered at their school. The golf course is where they get to apply what they have learned in their classes and for many of the participants, their trip to the Rancho Del Pueblo is their first experience at a real golf course. For more information on our DRIVE program please visit https://www.firstteesiliconvalley.org/programs/outreach/    

The First Tee of Silicon Valley (TFTSV) had its highest performing year in 2019 as it reached 14,453 youth – 1,011 Class Participants and 13,442 Outreach Participants. Our youth development program has positively transformed the lives of 81,234 youth through proven on course and at-school programs since 2005. TFTSV also had its highest financial performing year raising $1.235M (20% increase over previous year) allowing $100K for expansion and reserves. TFTSV Program Snapshot Class Participation – 1,011 unique participants took an average of 2 classes at our golf locations.

• 607 at Rancho del Pueblo GC, 290 at Baylands Golf Links/SportsHouse, and 114 at Gavilan GC
• 56% Return Rate as participants progressed through 5 levels of certification –highest in nation
• Served 38% Female and 62% Male
• Served 43% Asian, 30% Latino, 14% White, 8% Multi and 5% Other
• STEM classes expanded from one to three levels – Par, Birdie. Eagle/Ace
• Offered Affordable Access by subsidizing $110 of $270 class fee per student cost
• Provided Financial Aid to 34% of our underserved participants in need by reducing class cost from $160 to $20-$80. 9% increase over previous year.

Outreach Participation – 13,442 youth experienced our DRIVE outreach program and clinics compared to 5,000 in the previous year.

• 18 in-school PE programs or after-school locations in San Jose (11), Gilroy (3), Redwood City (2), Santa Clara (1) and Sunnyvale (1)
• Primarily served Title I Schools with low to moderate (LMI) students
• Offered at no cost to schools through underwriting support
• Served 47% Female and 53% Male
• Served 69% Latino, 13% Asian, 11% White, 2% Multi and 5% Other

Youth Opportunities – Various TFTSV youth participated in life skill and golf events and received special recognition through scholarships.

• Andres Herrera received the TFTSV Dennis Kettman Memorial Scholarship
• Nicholas Ngai received the TFTSV Joyce Taylor Eagle Award and college scholarship
• Ralph Kho was selected to compete in the TFT PURE Insurance Championship
• Rachana Ajjarapu was 1 of 24 girls selected for the TFT John Deere Drive Your Future Academy
• Borina Sutikto was selected to the Congaree Global Golf Initiative
• Rishi Ajjarapu and Thai Hoang were selected to attend the TFT Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Life Skills and Leadership Academy
• Rhea Advani, Noah Covarrubias, and Varsha Nekkanti were designated as The First Tee Scholars for 2018-2019

TFTSV Youth Impact Metrics

• Safe haven that provides structure, direction and mentorship to at-risk youth grades 2-12
• Youth epidemic prevention addressing HS drop-out rate, childhood obesity and social anxieties.
• 100% of certifying class participants graduate high school
• 100% of ACE top-level certifying participants attend college
• More than 80% of our participants reported receiving all A’s and B’s in 2018-2019
• Participant Surveys reported: >90% character-building improvement rating >90% better citizens that connect with their community > 90% golf skills improved and will be life-long golfers

Financial Snapshot TFTSV raised $1.235M exceeding the operating budget of $1.135M. The operating budget distribution was approximately 69% for Programs, 6% for Operating (e.g., golf course access), 21% for Fundraising, and 4% for Administration. The revenue distribution from generous donations and contributions was:

• $310,000 Grants and Foundations
• $15,000 Corporate Giving
• $220,000 Individual Giving
• $190,000 Participant Fees
• $225,000 Open Golf Tournament
• $185,000 Invitational Golf Tournament
• $90,000 Year-End Raffle $1,235,000 Total Revenue

The First Tee of Silicon Valley owes a sincere thank you to SAGA Foundation led by President, David Bartoshuk for their generous $100K year-end donation to further develop TFTSV programs in the Palo Alto-Redwood City area including at Baylands Golf Links (Their donations to TFTSV now total $200K).  The SAGA Foundation assists nonprofits to work smarter, reach further, and have a lasting impact. David Bartoshuk, President – SAGA Foundation, says, “SAGA Foundation was established to carry out and promote the charitable activities and values of our founder, Bill Laughlin… a visionary who believed critical problems require bold actions through collaboration, open communication, teamwork and entrepreneurship.” SAGA Foundation and David Bartoshuk stand out in their unique approach as both supporter and partner. Expanding TFTSV’s reach into Redwood City and other cities of southern San Mateo County requires solving some key problems and overcoming some notable challenges. In parallel to their donation, SAGA Foundation assists TFTSV in Redwood City, including with Parks & Rec and Police Activities League. These community partnerships with youth-serving organizations are laying the foundation for TFTSV’s program expansion at Baylands Golf Links to ultimately teach life skills to over 1,000 youth there annually. In addition, such partnerships are leading to TFTSV’s programs to ultimately reach at least 15,000 more youth beyond the golf course in school and after school. “David and the SAGA Foundation clearly understand the importance of not just throwing money at a problem.” said TFTSV President & CEO, George Maxe. “They are wrapping their minds around the challenges that we face to reach many more children and are rolling up their sleeves to help TFTSV take specific steps to be successful.” In addition, SAGA Foundation is helping TFTSV’s new youth-serving partners to insure a seamless integration of programs. Most noteworthy is their underwriting of two vans for Redwood City Police Activities League to transport youth to TFTSV programs (e.g., at Baylands Golf Links). TFTSV is very grateful to SAGA Foundation and looks forward to a long and fruitful partnership.

Did you get new clubs for Christmas? Bring your used clubs to the PGA TOUR Superstore in East Palo Alto on Saturday, February 22nd from 1pm to 5pm. Collecting used clubs enables The First Tee of Silicon Valley to pursue our mission to impact the lives of under-served youth by providing education programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.  These donations allow us to provide the necessary equipment for those on financial assistance to participate. Come visit us at the PGA TOUR Superstore (1751 East Bayshore Road, East Palo Alto, CA  94303) on Saturday, February 22nd from 1PM to 5PM. We are collecting:

• Clubs: full sets, usable drivers/putters/fairway metals, and iron sets in good condition and less than 10 years old (Junior sets preferred)
• New bags, balls, towels, tees and ball markers

We are not able to collect clothing (hats, shoes, socks, jackets) or equipment (pull/push cards, training aids, travel bags, used bags). Thank you!

The First Tee of Silicon Valley was the recipient of a generous $7,000 grant from CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation to underwrite the cost of golf hats for all new participants in 2020. All participants are provided The First Tee of Silicon Valley logoed hats at no charge to wear as part of their class uniform. This is a terrific way to reinforce the importance of proper etiquette, to build community, and to publicize our program. The non-profit CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation was founded in 2004. The foundation’s mission is to expand access to the sport of golf for children of all income levels by directly supporting successful youth golf programs throughout the Santa Clara County. The goal is to provide youth with the opportunity to learn the sport, receive lessons and equipment, practice, compete, and build positive life skills. The Foundation annually awards approximately $100,000 in grants to deserving programs. The foundation is funded through a $50,000 annual contribution from CordeValle Golf Club and raises an additional $50,000 per year through CordeValle’s public charity tournaments. The CordeValle Youth Golf Foundation and The First Tee of Silicon Valley are equally committed to expanding opportunities for youth of all income levels to have access to the sport of golf. Through the discipline and challenge of golf, youth in the Santa Clara County are provided a community with a safe environment and positive life alternatives that build confidence and character, ultimately helping them succeed in our community and in life. CordeValle has been the location for the annual TFTSV Invitational since 2005.